The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1887-04-02
Che 9aily 8nlletin.
SATURDAY. APRIL 2. 1887.
AMERlCAN.CR0WN FIGS.
TURKEYS FAMOUS FRUIT TRANSFERRED
TO UNITED STATES s0IL-sUCCEss
OF THE ENTERPRISE.

The continued outbreaks of Asiatic
cholera have had the effect OF Great
ing lack of confidence in the Turk
ish fig and of causing that healthy
fruit to be extensively planted on
American soil. The semi-tropical
belt of this country, which has PROV
ed to be suitable to the cultivation of
many other fruits, is found to be
favorably adapted to the propagation
of the Zig. Especially is this true
with regard to Missippi and New Or
leans, but still more so with that sec
ton of country in Southern Califor-
MIA which isnow styled the modern
Garden of Eden, and where figs are
being cultivated with great success.
The fig is fruit which can be eaten
fresh from the tree, or dried after it
has ripened. Already the fresh fig
has been sent to tins city done up in
heavy strip and carried like other
| fruits. A process has also been put
into practice for crystallizing the
green or fresh fig, so rs to make it
one of the most delicious Christmas
fruits for the table, so favorably
known under the name of bonbons.
The process of crystallizing fruits has
been brought to such perfection in
this country as to almost drive en-
tirely out of the market the French
goods. Now that the fig has been
cultivated and treated by this pro-
cess, a much more delicious bonbon
will be produced than can be found
even in France. Now that it has
been clearly proven that the fig can
be as well produced in the United
States as in Asia Minor, great atten-
ton is being given to its cultivation.
This has proved to be profitable to
the planter and has in many instan-
ces caused the American fruit to be
more appreciated than the product
of Turkey. The true fig of commerce
in all countries has been the white
Smyrna variety, which is now being
profitably produced in Southern
California. In many features the
American reproduction has been
proven to be superior to the Turkish,
on account of its thinner skin and
finer seeds. Already this variety has
commanded higher price in many
of the markets of this country ON ac-
count of the aforementioned advan-
tages over the imported fig. A we'll
known California planter, now in this
city, gave the following description
to reporter for the "Mail and Ex-
press" of the way he prepares his
fruit for the market when intended
| 70 ho cold IN, N IrinI
ain curing and packing / gather
my figs-for have trees twelve years
old, which have increased in the
quantity and quality of the crop as
they grow older-just as / would
other fruit, that is when fully ripe.
l leave all the stem on the fig, and
am careful to soil the skin as little as
possible. When gathered place the
figs on trays similar to those used in
curing raisins. Having fumigated
them for an hour / place the trays
in the sunshine at an angle Of forty
five degrees facing the sun. They
are thus left for six or eight days,
when, if the weather has been favor
able, they will be ready for the sweat
box In foggy weather this drying
may take ten days or two weeks.
When in the sweat-box they are left
until am ready to pack them for
market, when use q. 5 or 25-pound
boxes, as may suit the commercial
center to which they are to be des-
patched. The new Pacific or brown
Smyrna will dry in less time than
any fig of which | have knowledge.
i see bright future for those who
cultivate figs, as fig orchard will in
a shorter time pay better than any
other fruit. This has been my own
experience. To get good fruit re-
quires care in cultivation, MS in any
thing else. If the proper soil be
selected, care taken to have enough
OF moisture by irrigation or other
wise while the fruit is growing, good
and perfect drainage Mt all times,
and the gradual drying of the soil
while the fruit is ripening, with sui
ficient heat to insure sweetness in
the fig, there is no reason that can
see why fig culture will not become
one of the most profitable industries
of the United States."- Y. Mail
| onI Eypraec